Carrying case catch or lock



18 9, .1949. G. E. swANsoN 2,478,434

CARRYING CASE CATCH OR LocK Filed June 22, 1946 Lrg Fig. Il. Fig. lz.

TTORNEY Patented Aug. 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

The invention relates to a catch or lock adapted for use on a carrying case or suitcase or trunk or chest or any other similar container. The catch or lock comprises two cooperating units, one adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover, and the other adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body.

The general object of the invention is to provide a self-latching catch which is so constructed that, after the pressing of the releasable elements thereof to effect unlatching, it automatically serves to prevent immediate relatching.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a catch having two bolts which are movable manually to effect unlatching and which are so related to the strike that release of one of the bolts before the other enables the bolt so released to engage the strike and hold the strike in an unlatched position.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a catch which has cam means associated with the strike and with at least one movable bolt for separating the strike from the bolt unit when the bolt is manually moved and which also has means associated with the said cam means for limiting the return movement of the bolt in the engaging direction so as to hold the said bolt out of its strike engaging position.

A still further object of the invention is to prol vide a strike movably connected with the unit which carries it and movable in opposition to a spring bias away from the bolt carrying unit, this movable strike permitting the before-described preventing of relatching even though the cover itself is too heavy to be moved by the action of the manually movable elements of the catch.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in association with the other features which have been mentioned, a key operated lock for holding the bolts of the catch in their strike engaging positions.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the following speciiication and claims.

In the drawing I have shown in detail two embodiments of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions shown, and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing,

y Fig. J1 is a combined from and sectional View of a catch embodying the invention, the sectional portion of the view being taken along the line I--I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line I--I of Fig. 2 and showing the manually movable bolts in their inner positions.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing one of the bolts released, and showing the strike and connected parts moved accordingly.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the strike moved relatively to the unit which carries it and showing the bolts held out of their normal strike engaging positions.

Fig. 6 is a front view of an alternative catch embodying the invention.

Fig. '7 is a side view of the catch shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the parts in relative positions corresponding to those shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the parts in relative positions corresponding to those shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the tumbler.

Fig. 12 is a side View of the tumbler.

Fig. 13 is a side view of a key which may be used for operating the lock.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, there are provided two housings or units I0 and I2 adapted to be mounted respectively on the cover I4 of the case immediately adjacent the body I6 thereof and on the said body of the case immediately adjacent the said cover. Preferably and as shown, the unit I0 is mounted on the cover I4 and the unit I2 is mounted on the body I6, and they will be so described, but it will be understood that the invention is not necessarily so limited,

The cover unit I0 carries a strike I8, a portion of which extends downwardly and is provided with two oppositely disposed hooks 28, 20 which preferably face inwardly.

The body unit I2 carries two oppositely disposed bolts 22, 22 which are oppositely movable rectilinearly. The said bolts are provided respectively with hooks 24, 24 which preferably face outwardly and are adapted to engage the hooks 2U, 20 of the strike, as shown in Fig. 1. The bolts 22, 22 are provided with longitudinal slots through which extend bosses 26, 26 which assist in holding thebolts in place and in guiding them for longitudinal movement. The bolts 22, 22 are biased outwardly toward their strike engaging positions by means of coil springs 28, 28. The bolts can be moved inward manually in opposition to the springs 28, 28 by finger pieces 30, 38 normally projecting from the unit I2 at the ends thereof.

Cam means are provided in association with the bolts and with the strike for moving the strike away from the bplt unit, that is, perpendicularly to the directions of bolt movement, such movement taking place when the bolts are moved inwardly in the disengaging directions. Preferably and as shown, this cam means comprises oppositely inclined cam faces 32, 3 2 o n the respective bolts and correspondingoppositely inclined cam faces 34, 34 on the strike. For rear sons to be presently set forth, the cam means preferably also comprises two additional oppositely inclined cam faces 36, 36 on the bolts and may include two additional opnositely inclined cam faces 38, 38 on the strike. Each two com faces 32 and 3S on the bolts are relatively offset to provide a notch between them, and each two cam faces 34 and 38 on the Strike are relatively offset to provide a tooth between them. The teeth between the respective pairs of cam faces on the strike are adapted to. enter the notches between the respective pairs ofcam faces on the bolts.

Fig. l shows the catch with the bolts in their normal strike engaging positions. When unlatching is to be effected, the bolts are moved inwardly by means of the finger pieces 38, 30 to the positions shown in Fig. 3. This causes the cam faces 32, 32 and 35, 36 on the bolts to engage the cam faces 34, 34 and 38, 38 on the strike, thus moving the strike away from the bolt unit, as shown in Fig. 3. Then one of the bolts, as for instance the left hand bolt, is released before the other, and this causes the back of the left hand hook 24 to engage the backof the lefthand hook 20 on the strike'. As shown in Fig. 4, the back faces of the hooks are inclined, and their engagement serves to cam the strike still further away f-rom the bolt unit. The two hooks 24 and 20, being thus engaged, serve to hold the strike separated and the other bolt at the right can then be released to similarly engage the backs of the hooks 24 and 20 at the right. Thus the strike and the parts connected therewith are held in an elevated u-nlatched position, and the cover is free to be opened atany time. When downward pressure is applied to the cover and thus to the strike, the inclined faces on the hooks cam the bolts inwardlyl sufficiently to permit relatching.

In order to facilitate release of one bolt, as for instance the left hand bolt, before the other, the corresponding spring is made somewhat stronger than the. otherspring- In the example shown, the left hand spring 28 can be regarded as. substantially stronger than the rig-ht hand spring. Thus, when the fing-erpieces are released simultaneouslyy the tendency is for the left hand bolt to move. more rapidlythan the right hand' bolt, thus engaging the back of its hook with thev` back of the corresponding hook on the. strike. This. avoids any necessity for conscious effort on` thel part or the user to. release one bolt before the other.

If both bolts. are p ermii-.teclA tomove, inwardly substantially simultaneously, the] cam faces on the strike will` remain in engagement with. the Cam.- faces on. thebolts, thuscausing` the beforementioned teeth on the strike to enter the beforementioned notches in the bolts. The engagement of the teeth with the notches limits inward movement of the bolts and holds them out of their normal strike engaging positions as shown in Fig. 5.

While the invention is not necessarily so limited, it may be preferable to so mount the strike I8 that it is bodily movable relatively to the unit I0 which carries it, the strike being movable from and toward the bolt carrying unit I2. As shown, the strike I8 is slidable in a slot in the unit I0 and it is biased for movement toward the unit I2 by means of a bow spring 48, The cover I4 to which the unit I2 is attached may be very heavy, or it may be restrained, as by some heavy object placed thereon, or by means of another catch. If the cover is very heavy, or if -it is restrained, it is impossible for the unit I8 to be moved upward as shown in Fig. 3. However, when the strike I8 is movable relatively to the unit HJ the .strike itself can be moved upward in opposition to the spring 40 by the cam action of the bolts. even though the cover and the unit lll remain stationary. After the strike has been so moved upward by means of the cam faces on the bolts, the bolts may be permitted to move outwardly substantially simultaneously, and the action of the spring 4B serves to hold the cam faces on the strike in engagement with the cam, faces on the bolts, with the result that the teeth on the strike enter the notches in the bolts. as shown. in Fig. 5. Thus the bolts are held out of; their normal strike engaging positions and the hooks remain out of engagement with each other.y The cover remains unlatched and can be lifted at. any time.

The spring 40 has sufcient strength to enable it to overcome the. springs 28, 28 through the camming action of the. backs of the hooks when the cover is to be closed after having been once opened.

The catch shown in Figs. 6 to 13 is for the most partv similar in principle to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the major difference being that the bolts are movable pivotally instead of rectilinearly. There are provided two housings or units 42 and 4.4 adapted to be mounted respectively on the cover I4 of the case and on the body I6 thereof.

The.. cover unit 42 carries a strike 46 which extends laterally beyond the sides of the unit 42 and which also extends downwardly and is provided with two oppositely disposed hooks 48, 48 which preferably face inwardly;

The body unit 4:4 carries two oppositely djsposed bolts 50, 50 which are mounted for pivotal movement about axes perpendicular to the face of the unit 44. As shown, the bolts 50, 50 are pivoted on bosses 52, 512'. The said bolts are provided respectively with hooks 54, 54 which preferably face outwardly and are adapted to engage the hooks 48, 48 of the strike as shown in Fig. 8. Inwardl movement of the bolts is limited by a stop 56 forming a part of the unit 44, and outward movement is limited by the engagement of the bottom end portions of the bolts with the lower portion of the main body of the unit 44. The bolts 50, 50 are biased outwardly toward their strike engaging positions by means of a single U-shaped spring 58, the lower portion of which isl seated in a slot in the unit 44, and. the upper diverging legs of which have prongs seated in notches in the bolts. The bolts have outwardly projecting portions 6U, 60 which serve as finger pieces whichcan be manually engaged to move the bolts inwardly in opposition to the spring 58.

Cam means are provided in association with the bolts and with the strike for moving the strike away from the bolt unit, that is, perpendicular to the general directions of movement of the upper hook portions of the bolts, such movement of the strike taking place when the bolts are moved inwardly in the disengaging directions. Preferably and as shown, this cam means comprises oppositely inclined cam faces t2, i2 on the strike and corresponding oppositely inclined cam faces 64, 54 on the respective bolts. Downwardly projecting teeth are provided at the inner edges of the cam faces 62, 62 and the bolts are preferably provided with two additional oppositely inclined cam faces 66, 65 also adapted to engage the cam faces 62, 62 on the strike. The cam faces 4, 64 and 66, 66 on the bolts are relatively offset to provide a notch between them. The said teeth on the strike are adapted to enter the notches between the respective pairs of cam faces on the boltsl Preferably there is provided a key operated lock for holding the bolts in their strike engaging positions as shown in Fig. 8. As shown, the lock comprises a tumbler 68 which is vertically movable between lugs 10, 'lil projecting forwardly from the rear wall of the unit 44. As shown in Figs. 1l and 12, the tumbler 68 is essentially a flat plate having a forwardly projecting flange 12 at the top and a forwardly projecting flange 14 at the bottom. When the tumbler is in its upper position, as shown in Fig. 8, the iiange 12 is positioned between the bolts and prevents inward movement thereof. When the tumbler 68 is in its lower position as shown in Fig. 9, thel flange 'l2 is opposite two notches formed in the inner faces of the bolts, and the bolts are thus free to swing inwardly. The tumbler is operated by means of a key such as 16 which can be inserted through a keyhole 78 in the front wall of the unit 44 and through a recess 89 in the tumbler, The key is shown in section in Fig. 11, the tumbler being in its upper position. It will be seen that when the key is turned in the counterclockwise direction a portion thereof enters the notch at the left side of the recess 8e thus causing the tumbler to move from its upper position to its lower position. Whe the key is turned in the clockwise direction the tumbler is moved from its lower position to its upper position.'

projection i2 formed integrally on the right leg f of the spring 58. This projection 82 engages the right end of the flange 'i4 on the tumbler and thus holds the tumbler in either its upper position or its lower position,

Fig. 8 shows the catch with the bolts in their normal strike engaging positions. When unlatching is to be effected the bolts are unlocked by means of the key as already described and then they are moved inwardly by means of the portions t, t@ thereon to their disengaged positions. The left hand bolt is shown in Fig. 9 as being in such disengaged position. When both bolts are moved to their inward disengaged positions the cam faces 64 and B6 thereon engage the cam faces t2, s2 on the strike to move the strike upthe right hand hook 48 on the strike. As shown in Fig. 9, the back faces of the hooks are inclined and their engagement serves to cam the strike still further away from the bolt unit. The two hooks 54 and 48, being thus engaged, serve to hold the strike separated and the other bolt at the left can then be released to similarly engage the backs of the hooks 54 and 48 at the lefti Thus the strike and the parts connected therewith are held in an elevated unlatched position and the cover is free to be opened at any time. When downward pressure is appllied to the cover and thus to the strike, the inclined surfaces on the hooks cam the bolts inwardly sufciently to permit relatching.

In order to facilitate release of one bolt, as for instance the right hand bolt, before the other, the bolt to be so released is given a stronger spring bias. As illustrated, both bolt-s are biased by the same spring 58 but the right hand leg of this spring abuts against the flange 'i4 on the tumbler and thus has a shorter flexing radius. The result is that the spring 58 applies a much heavier pressure against the right hand bolt than it does against the left hand bolt. When the two bolts are released simultaneously, the tendency is for the right hand bolt to move more rapidly than the left hand bolt, thus engaging the back of its hook with the back of the corresponding hook on the strike. This avoids any necessity for conscious effort on the part of the user to release one bolt before the other.

If both bolts are permitted to move inward substantially simultaneously, the cam faces on the strike will ordinarily remain in engagement with the cam faces on the bolts thus causing the before-mentioned teeth on the strike to enter the *before-mentioned notches in the bolts. The engagement of the teeth with the notches limits inward movement of the bolts and thus holds them out of their normal strike engaging positions as shown in Fig. 10. It will be obvious that with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 10 the cover is free to be lifted at any time.

For the reasons fully explained in connection with the catch shown in Figs. l to 5, it may be preferable to mount the strike 46 so that it is bodily movable relatively to the unit 42 from and toward the bolt carying unit 44. As shown, the strike is provided with a sl-ot through which projects a portion of the unit 42 and the strike is vertically slidable with respect to the unit. The strike is biased for movement toward the bolt carrying unit 44 by means of a spring 84. When the cover I4 carrying the unit 42 is heavy or is restrained, the strike 45 can be moved upward relatively to the said unit 42 and in opposition to the spring 84 by the cam action of the bolts, such upward movement of the strike taking place even though the cover and the unit remain stationary, After the strike has been so moved upward by means of the cam faces on the bolts, the bolts may be permitted to move outwardly substantially simultaneously and the action of the spring 34 serves to hold the cam faces on the strike in engagement with the cam faces on the bolts with the result that the teeth on the strike enter the notches on the bolt as shown in Fig. 10. Thus the bolts are held out of their normal strike engaging positions and the hooks remain out of engagement with each other. The cover remains unlatched and can be lifted at any time.

The spring 84 has sufficient strength to enable it to overcome the spring 58 through the camming action of the backs of the hookswhen-the .7 icm/:er .is to :be folosed after having been Vonce mpened.

WhatiI claim is:

i1. Acatch lfor use on a carrying case or the llke'comprising in combination, two units mount- :a-ble respectively on the case and on :the case hover, a strike .on one unit having a hook and a .cam iface, two separately movable bolts on the K'other unit, a hook on one bolt engageable with itheistrikehook, a cam face on the other bolt en- .gageable with thecam face on the strike, spring :means ,forbiasing the bolts in the directions to lenga-ge the bolt'hook with the strike hook and to .disengage the boltcam face from the strike cam face, and manually engageablermeans for simulrtaneously moving the bolts in opposition to the .spring means to disengage the bolt hook from ithestrike hook and to engage the bolt cam face iwith the strike .cam face, the said cam face on .one -bolt when engaged with the strike cam face ,serving to move the strike away from the bolt unit `to .a position such that upon release of the :other bolt the hook thereon will engage the back mf :the ,strike hook to hold the strike in its last .said position.

2. A `catch for use on a carrying case or the lkecomprising in combination, two units mount- :able respectively on 'the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective .strike hooks and which are manually movable out :of ltheir engaging positions, and cam means =on the strike and on at least one bolt serving upon Idisengaging movement of the cam carrying bolt :to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit suf- -ciently to permit the back of the hook of the :other bolt upon release thereof before the cam .carrying bolt to engage the back of the corresponding strike hook and thus hold the strike 'out of its normal bolt engaging position.

3. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are vspring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, and cam means serving upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts to move the -strike relatively to the bolt unit sufficiently to permit the back of .the hook of one bolt upon release thereof before the other to engage the Iback of the corresponding strike hook and thus hold the strike out of its normal bolt engaging position.

4. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively .on the case and on the case cover, `a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely inclined cam faces on the strike, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, and two oppositely in- Clned cam faces on the respective bolts engageable with the respective cam faces on the strike and serving upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit suiiiciently to permit the back of the hook of one bolt upon release thereof before the other to engage the back of the corre- ..18 spending strikeihook'andthus hold thestrike out of its normal bolt engaging position.

`5. Acatch vfor use on arcarrying case or the like comprising iii/combination, two units mountable respectively on the 'case and on the case cover, a strike -on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two 'oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook yboltsvon the other unit which are engageable with the respective strike hooks and `which :are-manually movable out of their engaging positions, cam means serving upon simultaneous Vdisengaging movement of both bolts to move the strike away from its bolt engaging position, .and two springs for biasing the respective bolts toward their strike engaging positions, one spring being stronger than the other so that upon release of manual lpressure on the bolts one of them will move before the other to cause the .back o'f the hook thereof vto engage the back of the corresponding vstrike hook and thus hold the strike out of its normal bolt engaging position.

6. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, -two units mountable respectively on thefcase and on the -case cover, a strike on 'one unit 'having a hook, a movable hook bolt on the other -unit which is spring biased to engage the strike hook and which is manualllr movable out of its engaging position, cam means serving upon disengaging movement of the bolt to .relatively move the strike away from the bolt unit, `and means dependent on continued engagement of the cam means-during movement of the bolt in its engaging direction for limiting such movement so as tohold the bolt out of its normal strike engaging position.

7. A catch for use'on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively `on the case and `on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, `two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks land which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, cam means serving upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts to relatively move the strike away from the bolt unit, and means dependent on continued engagement of the cam means during movement of the bolts in their engaging directions for limiting such movement so as to hold the bolts out of their normal strike engaging positions.

'8. A cat-ch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely inclined cam faces on the strike lwith teeth at opposite ends thereof, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, and `two pairs of oppositely inclined 4@am faces on the respective bolts which are offset to form notches between them and which are engageable with the respective cam faces on the strike to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts, the notches between the cam faces on the bolts being engageable by the teeth on the strike upon the movement of both bolts in their engaging directions so as to limit such movement and hold the bolts out rof their normal strike engaging positions.

' 9. A ycatch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, cam means serving to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts, the back of one hook of the strike after such movement thereof being engageable by the back of the hook of one bolt upon the release thereof before the other bolt so as to hold the strike out of its normal bolt engaging position, and means dependent on continued engagement of the cam means during movement of both bolts in their engaging directions for limiting such movement so as to hold the bolts out of their normal strike engaging positions.

l0. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely inclined cam faces on the strike with teeth at opposite ends thereof, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, and two pairs of oppositely inclined cam faces on the respective bolts whi-ch are offset to form notches between them and which are engageable with the respective cam faces on the strike to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts, the back of one hook of the strike after such movement thereof being engageable by the back of the hook of one bolt upon the release thereof before the other bolt so as to hold the strike out of its normal bolt engaging position and the notches between the cam faces on the bolts being engageable by the teeth on the strike upon the simultaneous movement of both bolts in their engaging directions so as to limit such movement and hold the bolts out of their normal strike engaging positions.

li. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having a hook, the strike being bodily movable relatively to its unit from and toward the other unit, a spring for biasing the strike for relative movement toward the said other unit, a movable hook bolt on the other unit which is spring biased to engage the strike hook and which is manually movable out of its engaging position, cam means serving upon disengaging movement'of the bolt to move the strike relatively tothe bolt unit and also relatively to its own unit when the last said unit is held stationary, the strike biasing spring serving to hold the cam means in engagement during movement of the bolt in its engaging direction, and means dependent on the said continued engagement of the cam means during the said disengaging movement and serving to limit such movement of the bolt and hold it out of its normal strike engaging position.

12. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, the strike being bodily movable relatively to its unit from and toward the other unit, a spring for biasing the strike for relative movement toward the said other unit, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, cam means serving upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit and also relatively to its own unit when the last said unit is held stationary, the strike biasing spring serving to hold the cam means in engagement during movement of the bolts in their engaging directions, and means dependent on the said continued engagement of the cam means duringv the said engaging movement and serving to limit such movement of the bolts and hold them out of their normal strike engaging positions.

13. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, the strike being bodily movable relatively to its unit from and toward the other unit, a spring for biasing the strike for relative movement toward the said other unit, two oppositely inclined cam faces on the strike with teeth at opposite ends thereof, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hoo-ks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, and two pairs of oppositely inclined cam faces on the respective bolts which are offset to form notches between them and which upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts are engageable with the respective cam faces on the strike to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit and also relatively to its own unit when the last said unit is held stationary, the strike biasing spring serving to hold the strike cam faces in engagement with the bolt cam faces upon movement of the bolts in their engaging directions and the notches between the cam faces on the bolts being thereupon engageable by the teeth on the strike so as to limit such movement of the bolts and hold them out of their normal strike engaging positions.

14. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit having two oppositely disposed hooks, the strike being bodily movable relatively to its unit from and toward the other unit, a spring for biasing the strike for relative movement toward the said other unit, two oppositely disposed and oppositely movable hook bolts on the other unit which are spring biased to engage the respective strike hooks and which are manually movable out of their engaging positions, cam means serving upon simultaneous disengaging movement of both bolts to move the strike relatively to the bolt unit and also relatively to its own unit when the last said unit is held stationary, the back of one hook of the strike after such movement thereof being engageable by the back of the hook of one bolt upon the release thereof before the other bolt so as to tend to hold the strike out of its normal bolt engaging position, and means serving during the engaging movement of the bolts to limit such movement and hold them out of their normal strike engaging positions, the said means being dependent on the continued engagement of the cam means during such engaging movement resulting from the action of the strike biasing spring.

15. A catchfor useona carryingcaseor the like'comprising,incombinatiom two units mountable respectively on the. case and on the case cover, a strike on one4 Vunit having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely disposed hook boltson the. other unit oppositely movable rectilinearly, the saidV bolts being springbiased to engage the respective strike hooks and being manually movable out of their engaging positions, and. cam means serving4 upon simultaneous disengaging movement of bothbolts toV move the strike transversely of the. directions of rectilinear movement suil'ciently to permit the back of the hook of one bolt. upon release. thereof before the other toengage the back of the corresponding; strike hook and'thus. holdv the strike out of its normal' bolt engaging.. position.

16. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprisingvin combination, two units mountable respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on one unit. having two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely inclined. cam faces on the strike withteeth at opposite ends thereof, two oppositely disposed hook bolts on the other unit oppositely movable rectilinearly, thesaid bolts being springbiased. to engage the respective strike hooks. andbeing manually movable out. of their engaging positions, and two pairs of oppositely inclined cam. faces on the respectivebolts which are. offset tov form notches between them and which. are engageable with the respective cam faces, on.. the strike to move the strike transversely of.. the. directions ofy rectilinear movement;r upon simultaneously disengaging movementoi'both b.oltsthe notches between the cam faces on. the bolt being engageable by theteeth on the. strikev upon the move-Vv ment of both boltsin their disengaging directions sov as to` limit. such movement and hold the bolts out of their. normal strike` engaging positions.

17. A catchV for use on a. carrying4 lcase or the likefcomprising in combination,.twounits mountable respectively on the case andA on the case cover, a strike on one unit havingv two oppositely disposed hooks, two oppositely disposedhook bolts on the other unit'pivotall'y movable in opposite directions about' axes perpendicular tothe face:

of the housingthe said bolts being engageable with the respective strike hooks andlbeing manually movable outrof their engaging positions, cam means serving upon simultaneous disengaging movement of-both bolts to move the. strike away from its bolt engaging position, and two springs` for biasing the respectiveV bolts for. pivotalv movement toward their'strikeengaging positions, one spring being strongerl than the other so that upon release of manualpressurevon the bolts one of themwill move pivotally'before the other to cause the back of the hook-'thereofA to engage the back of the corresponding strike hook'and" thus holdV the strike outV of its normal bolt engaging position.

18. A catch for use on a carrying caseV or the like comprising in combination, two units mountable. respectively onf. the. case. and. on, the. case cover, a strike on one, unit. having two. oppositely. disposed hooks two oppositely. disposed hook bolts on theA other unitpivotally movable in opposite directions about.. axes perpendicular to the face of the: housing, the; said bolts being springbiasedto. engage the respectivestrike hooks and being manually` movable out of their-engaging positions, cam` meansA serving. upon simultaneousv pivotal disengaging movement. oi. both bolts to. relatively. move. the.- strike; away from the bolt unit, and y means` dependent on. continued engagement. of. the. cam. means.` during pivotal movement. of the. boltsin their. engaging directions for limiting. s .uchV movement so as tohold tlebolts out of their normalstrike engaging posi.- tions.

19'. A,catch for. use Ona` carrying caseor. the like comp-rising in combination, twounitsmountf able respectively on the case and on the case cover, a strike on. one unit. having two oppositely disposed. hooks, the strike. being bodily. movable. relatively to.A its. unit, from. and toward the other unit,l a. spring for biasingA the strike for relativemovement towardthesaidother unit, two oppositely inclined. cam .faces on the strikev with teeth at opposite ends. thereof, twoy oppositely disposed hookboltson. the other unit piv otally movable. in oppositedirections. about axesy perpendicular to the face of the, housing, the;l

said bolts being. spring. biasedv to. engagethe respective strike hooks and` being manually mov-- able out of their engaging positions, and.` two. pairs of oppositely .inclined cam. faces on the. respective boltswhich-.are offset to form notches between them .andi Whichupon .simultaneous pivotal disengaging., movementof both bolts are.en gageable` with the respective. cam. faces; on thev strike to. move the. strike.- relatively, to. the bolt unit and. also relatively, to its own unit when the last saidv unit isheld. stationary, the strike;

biasing spring serving. to hold.. the strike cam faces in engagement, with the bolt cam faces upon pivotal movement of. the. boltsinvtheir engagingv directions, and, thenotches. between the cam faces on the boltsbeing; thereupon engageable by the teethonothe strkefso. as to. limit such movementof the. bolts. and holdthem out of their normaljstrike,enggngpositions GUNNAR E; SWANSON.

REFERENCES' CITED The followingI references; are of. record in' the:

iile of thisv patent:

UNITED STATES? PATENTS.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,478,434 August 9, 1949 GUN N AR E. SWANSON It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 5, line 43, for recess 89 read recess 80- line 50, for Whe read When;

column 6, line l2, for appllied read applied; column 12, line 47, for "ono read on;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of January, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

f Assistant Uommssoner of Patents. 

